One question often asked by people considering whether to buy the Canon 5D Mark II or the Nikon D7000 is "Which produces better images?" People who have used both cameras are best placed to answer this question.
And their answer is usually "Neither!" Or more accurately, "They both take great photos providing the person behind the camera knows how to take great shots.
" Image quality is, of course, the number one criterion for most people when buying a digital SLR but there other criteria to consider, especially when comparing the Canon 5D Mark II and the Nikon D7000.
Here are some of the differences between the two cameras.
Body Both cameras are sturdily built and will easily withstand the rigours of normal use.
The Canon 5D is a bit bigger than the Nikon D7000 but it's unlikely to concern you.
When it comes to build quality, the Nikon D7000 edges it for most people.
This is especially noticeable with the Compact Flash door hinge.
Owners report that the Canon 5D Mark II door hinge feels flimsy whereas the Nikon D7000 has a spring loaded door hinge which opens automatically if you pull it back sufficiently.
Storage The D7000 has the edge here too, thanks to the dual SD card slots compared with the single Compact Flash slot on the 5d Mark II.
Whether you prefer SD cards to CF card doesn't really matter but having a backup slot is reassuring to say the least.
Controls The Canon 5D Mark II has the edge on this one.
One reason is because the ISO button on the Nikon is badly out of place.
On the D7000, all of the controls that affect the image are on the top, except the ISO button, which is on the back to the left of the screen.
It's a pain if you're constantly adjusting ISO.
In contrast, the ISO button on the 5D Mark II is easy to access on the top of the camera.
Focus When it come to focusing there is no clear winner.
The 39 focus points on the D7000 is much greater than the 9 on the 5D Mark II.
But, it is easier to select a focus point on the 5D Mark II, not just because there are fewer of them but because it has a selection wheel.
The 39 focus points on the D7000 offer lots of versatility but selecting them with the DPad is not as fluid as Canon's selection wheel.
Shooting The 5D Mark II is generally regarded as the ideal camera for landscape photography but not for say, fashion photography, due to its slower 3.
9 fps shooting speed compared with the 6 fps on the D7000.
Lenses Both brands have a wide selection of lenses, although the pro lenses for both cameras are quite expensive.
Note, though, that their mounts are completely incompatible with each other! One of the most popular lenses is the 24-70mm which provides a good wide angle view as well as a good close-up portrait view.
The Canon 28-70mm f/2,8 lens cost about $1200 whereas the comparable Nikon lens (the 17-55mm f/2,8) costs around $1400.
Optics The Canon 5D Mark II with 21 megapixels trumps the 16 megapixels found on the Nikon D7000.
So, if you want large prints go for the 5D Mark II.
One key difference between the 5D Mark II and the Nikon D7000 is that the former is a full frame camera whereas the latter is a DX or crop frame camera.
Both take stunning photos but the 5D Mark II obviously gives more of the shot and extra stops of useable ISO.
Conclusion There is no clear overall winner here.
So, take a look at the specifications and give both cameras a try.
Think also about the investment you'll need to make in lenses and other accessories.
Whatever your decision, both cameras will serve you well.